MSU CEM 141 FINAL ACTUAL EXAM
ALL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS TOP RATED
VERSION FOR 2025-2026 UPDATE
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Consider the question: Is there an attractive force between a pencil and
the earth?
Is this a scientific question? [Yes or No]
Because
III. It can be tested and answered through observations and experiments
IV. The answer is already known and we find it online
V. There is no way to design an experiment to answer this question. -
ANSWER- Yes because it can be tested and answered though
observations and experiments
Which of the following properties ascribed to atoms by the Greeks do
we still consider valid?
I. Atoms are mostly empty space
II. The size and shape of the atoms determine a material's properties
III. Atoms are indivisible
IV. Atoms are in constant motion - ANSWER- Atoms are mostly empty
space
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Atoms are in constant motion
Electrons are negatively charged. Which experiment provided evidence
to support this claim? What is the specific evidence used to support this
claim?
Experiment:
I. The gold foil experiment
II. The cathode ray tube experiment
Evidence:
III. Most of the positively charged alpha particles shot at a thin gold foil
passed straight through.
IV. A small fraction of the positively charged alpha particles shot at a
thin gold foil were deflected.
V. The beam of particles emitted from the cathode bent toward the
positively charged plate.
VI. The beam of particles emitted from the cathode behaved the same no
matter what type of metal the cathode was made of. - ANSWER- The
cathode ray tube experiment
The beam of particles emitted from the cathode bent toward the
positively charged plate.
Which of the following contain(s) atoms?
a. Heat
b. Light
c. Energy
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d. Dust
e. All of the above - ANSWER- All of the above
The diagram below shows alpha particles being fired at a piece of gold
foil. Where will the majority of the alpha particles be detected (point I,
II, or III) and why?
IV. Alpha particles bounce off the nuclei within the gold atoms because
the nuclei are much more massive than the alpha particles.
V. The alpha particles are repelled when they come close to the nuclei
because both are charged.
VI. The alpha particles go straight through the atom because it is mostly
empty space. - ANSWER- III because the alpha particles go straight
through the atom because it is mostly empty space.
Thomson's cathode ray tube experiment proved FALSE what part of
Dalton's atomic theory?
a. All atoms are indivisible and indestructible
b. All atoms of a given element are identical
c. All matter is made of atoms.
d. Compounds are formed from the combination of two or more
elements.
e. Chemical reactions are rearranging of atoms - ANSWER- All atoms
are indivisible and indestructable
How would the strength of the electrostatic force change if the distance
between the two charged objects decreased?
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a. The electrostatic force would become stronger
b. The electrostatic force would become weaker
c. The electrostatic force would become stronger or weaker depending
on whether the force is attractive or repulsive.
d. It is impossible to say from the information given. - ANSWER- The
electrostatic force would become stronger
Consider the following statement: "A nitrogen molecule is made up of
the same type of atoms." Is this statement true or false and why?
I. True
II. False
III. An element is made up of one type of atom. Nitrogen is an element
that exists as diatomic molecules.
IV. Nitrogen is a compound that exists as diatomic molecules.
Compounds are made of different types of atoms.
V. Nitrogen is an element and therefore must exist as separate atoms and
not molecules. - ANSWER- True because an element is made up of one
type of atom. Nitrogen is an element that exists as diatomic molecules.
Why does the potential energy increase as two xenon atoms move
extremely close together?
a. Because the kinetic energy decreases as the atoms slow down.
b. Because the electrostatic attractive force from the instantaneous
dipoles is dominant.
c. Because the repulsive force between the overlapping electron clouds
is dominant.